Get creative with bars - make a vibrant night life

Updated 5:49 pm, Thursday, March 21, 2013

State Sen. Mark Leno's proposed legislation ("Bill seeks to extend state's drinking hours," March 13), which would allow individual communities within California the opportunity to extend the hours of alcohol sales at restaurants and clubs, is a refreshing breath of fresh air.

For how long have some of us recognized the tremendous value of a vibrant night-life and the irrationality of the cessation of liquor sales at 2 a.m.?

When is the last time you emerged from a bar around 2 a.m. to find the streets flooded with people with nowhere to go and no means to get there?

How many of us have traveled to other cities which provide a dynamic social scene with a more creative bar schedule? Are we really on a level playing field when cities like New York, New Orleans, Las Vegas, Sydney, Berlin and Rio de Janeiro offer multiple closing times based on community input, public demand and social vitality?

This is an idea whose time has come. Let's offer urban California environments and urban people a more diverse, vibrant night life while benefiting from increased tourism, tax revenue, and jobs.

Once again, Leno sees a logical solution to a nagging problem and champions small businesses and ordinary citizens. Thank you.

Donna Sachet, San Francisco

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